The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-03

for Christianity. 1t is far easier to be
a Christian to-day, but how many of us
fllthe measure of Christian?
The teacher should strive to be at
home with him. He should go with
him on his journeys, see him in the
very dress in which he manifested him.
self to the age. See him breaking the
bread of life to his followers, feeding
the multitudes which thronged about
him, comforting the mourners, healing
the sick, and raising the dead to life.
The pictures which the great artists
have left of him have helped lead us
astray. He is there seen with glory
around his head, and arrayed in robe
of majesty. Jesus was poor man; he
had lived and wrought as carpenter.
His chosen companions were men who
made their living by their daily labor.
This is rebuke to those who claim to
be Christians, and let dress and show
separate them from their fellow-men.
The fact should be emphasized that
real manhood is within and that charac-
ter only is valuable in the sight of God.
Money is only valuable to one as he can
use it to develop character. Develop
ing character is or should be the main
object of every Sunday-school, and that
teaching should be brought to bear upon
the child's mind, which will produce
that result. A life formed after the
pattern of Christ's life, will be indwell-
ing, deep and broad. The character
and life of Christ understood and lived,
cannot fail to issue in great results.
In the last place, being Universal
would teach Universalism in the
plainest and most positive way, and
would lay great stress on the life and
character of Christ as teaching it, be-
lieving as we do that there is more in
Universalism that will grow Christian
character than in any other doctrine,
because it educates the whole man.
There is not faculty but that may be
educated in the school and faith of Uni
versalism. The day, in my opinion,
for doctrinal teaching is not passed.
The world is tending to faith in it. 1t
is the doctrine the world needs and
must have. Its spirit is breathed to-
day by all other denominations. We
are in advance, and our ability to lead
depends upon our faithfulness in in
shilling Universalism into the minds of
those we teach. When we are little
further removed from superstition and
religious tradition, people everywhere
will accept Universalism. For it teaches
religion, inheres in the faculties, and
when they are developing it they are
the most natural. The Universalist
Sunday-school and church have done a
grand work, but they are destined to do
a grander one if they are properly cared
for. / have the utmost confidence in
the power of Universalism to quicken
human life when properly understood
and lived. The true conception issues
in growth in grace and in the knowl-
edge of the truth.
I have but little faith in the Univers-
alism which teaches only mans think
ing powers, that is the essential Uni
versalism which reaches both mind and
heart. Universalism to me means love
God with all the mind, might and
strength, because he first loved me,
and my neighbor as myself. Neighbor
meaning every one. That is the Uni
versalism L say teach in the Sunday
school; and children will at once come
to the conclusion, man is too good to be
punished eternally; that God loves him
too well for that.